Govt decides to stop PTI's long march

Islamabad: In a major U-turn, the federal government has decided to stop the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from holding a long march in Islamabad. 

According to reports, the development came during Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) political committee meeting which is currently underway with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.  

The meeting is being attended by other federal ministers including Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarrar, Khurram Dastagir, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Riaz Pirzada. 

Meeting is discussing overall political and economic situation of the country.

Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah briefed the meeting about that the steps has been taken to maintain the law and order.  

It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government on Monday (yesterday) has decided not to interrupt PTI long march—scheduled on May 25— if it is kept peaceful. 

The coalition government gave permission to the long march under the ambit of the constitution, it is said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Asif Ali Zardari played a pivotal role in bringing consensus on this decision.

The government decided to limit the long march to Srinagar Highway, however, if it proceeds ahead the government will utilize all its constitutional options. 

Former Prime Minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was present at yesterday’s consultative session through video link, along with Hamza Shehbaz and Maryam Nawaz. 

More to follow...